Falcons Break Through with Shutout Victory
October 31, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons notched their first win of the 2004-05 season in impressive fashion, shutting out the defending Kelly Cup-Champion Idaho Steelheads, 4-0, behind 37 saves from Simon Lajeunesse and two goals from Dan Tessier in front of 8,553 at Save Mart Center.
Tessier scored his first of the night and first of the season just 2:10 into the hockey game by whacking a loose puck in the slot past Idaho goaltender Colin Zulianello. The Falcons added to their lead at 7:50 when rookie Derek Krestanovich tallied his first goal as a pro by ramming home a rebound left after an initial chance by Tessier.
Fresno bought themselves a little insurance in the second on the power play. Zulianello left a big rebound off a blast by Dustin VanBallegooie, which Shawn Heaphy pounced upon and put top shelf for his first of the season at 8:31 to give the Falcons a 3-0 edge.
Tessier then put an exclamation point on the team's first win by converting on a short-handed break-away early in the third for the final 4-0 margin. Lajeunesse made most of his 37 saves look relatively easy, as he needed to weather only a brief storm late in the game when the only doubt was whether he would achieve the shutout.
The victory lifts the Falcons' record to 1-4-0 on the young season and, after last night's 5-2 loss to the Steelheads, sets up a rubber match with the defending champions tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Save Mart Center.
Kids 12 and under that wear Halloween costumes to tomorrow's game will receive free admission, and adults that dress-up will get in for $5. Following the game, all kids will have a chance to trick or treat with the Falcons players.
Tickets for the game are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from October 31, 2004
- Inferno Weekly - Columbia Inferno
- Steelheads top Fresno, 2-1, in shootout - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators Weekly Update - Atlanta Gladiators
- Wheeling Outlasts Bullies 2-1 In A Shootout - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Sea Wolves 'Trick' Wildcatters 3-2 In Halloween Shootout - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Gladiators outlast Grrrowl, 5-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces win 4-1 in front of another sell-out crowd - Alaska Aces
- San Diego Falls To Alaska Again, 4-1 - San Diego Gulls
- Checkers set record with fourth straight season-opening win on opening night - Charlotte Checkers
- Falcons Break Through with Shutout Victory - Fresno Falcons
- Steelheads shutout by Falcons, 4-0 - Idaho Steelheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Fresno Falcons Stories
